AVONDALE, Ariz. — Richard Petty Motorsports driver Michael Annett is recovering from surgery and while a timetable for his return hasn’t been set, RPM is preparing for him to be out for possibly six to eight weeks.

The 26-year-old Annett, injured in an accident with four laps left in the Nationwide Series race Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, had surgery Wednesday for a fractured sternum and had a plate put in his chest, said RPM Director of Operations Sammy Johns.

Michael Annett is recovering from surgery after being injured in a crash at Daytona (AP Photo)

Aric Almirola will drive the No. 43 Nationwide car this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.

“It looks like it could possibly be a couple of months,” Johns said Thursday at PIR. “He’s a young man, he’s in good shape and he takes good care of himself. All of that is going to help.

“We’re hoping for a little quicker than what they’re thinking.”

Annett finished fifth in the Nationwide standings last year driving for RPM, which put together the deal for Annett at the last minute after Rusty Wallace Racing suspended operations.

“We should be making some announcements in the next day or two what we’ll be doing (as far as a driver for the) long-term because this is a little bit longer than a race or two,” Johns said.

“Michael has done a real good job helping build this race team. He did a real good job with it last year. We’re going to keep it on that same path so it’s ready for him when he gets back.”

Johns said everything went well with the surgery Wednesday.

“We saw him last night. He was doing real well,” Johns said. “It was painful but he was doing good.”